C-A-R-E-G-I-V-E-R Part 4

We’ve been exploring the roles and characteristics of caregivers. Did you realize how diverse and complex you are as a caregiver? It’s like peeling back the layers of an onion. Caregiving often reveals parts of yourself you never knew existed or you knew were there but haven’t been conscious for some time. Bringing these characteristics to the foreground allows you to acknowledge, validate, and celebrate your gifts, talents, and attributes. It’s often unfortunate that many don’t realize these gifts until someone becomes ill and you step into the caregiver role; but you’re doing it now and that’s what counts.

E is for Egoless

We live in a world that if often focused on the individual. We’re socialized to look out for number one and do whatever it takes to come out on top. I took a training once where someone got up and said, “You know what EGO stands for? It stands for Edging God Out”. I took that to heart and have carefully considered when my ego was getting in the way of making good decisions and proper judgments on any and all situations. It’s difficult to do and takes a lot of practice, but it’s possible.

Caregiving seems to allow you to abandon the ego because caregiving, unless you’re a martyr, isn’t about you. It’s not about looking good to others. It’s not about being the best, the brightest, or the most successful. Caregiving is a heartfelt and heart driven experience. Unless you’re a professional caregiver (and some are driven strictly by the heart) you’re devotion and commitment to the caregiving process is egoless. You, as a caregiver, are committed to helping, assisting, and partnering with someone who is ill or injured because you have a relationships and it’s part of the moral contract. It’s a heart contract.

I know it’s difficult to abandon the ego while caregiving, but you shouldn’t think about it as abandoning. Actually, I hope your ego is expanding within your own heart and soul. As you have new experiences it will serve as a catalyst and stir up emotions, thoughts, and ideas in your mind and your soul. I hope you take these opportunities to expand who you are as a person allowing the caregiving experience to be a springboard for your own personal expansion.

I’d love to hear about how of if you experience egolessness and the impact it has on your caregiving experience.